i agree a 243 might be a bit on the smaller side for an elk size animal. you could take one down with it, but i think that the chances for wounding the animal increase, especially with a 12 year old boy. i would go with at least the 7mm-08 or the 308 in a youth sized rifle. with either one you could get loads a little on the heavier side and increase your chances of a clean kill.

I dont know where you will be hunting, but I am very shocked no one has brought up the 30/30! It has everything you need for a good all around rifle that he could use for the rest of his life for anything...deer elk or black bear. Its not going to have the accuracy at longer ranges, but anything within 150 yards or so will fall if he does his part. Plus there are hundreds of 30/30 rifles out there on used gun racks that can be had really cheap...just add bullets and a good scope and an elk tag!

If you want to go the bolt action route, I would say a 7mm-08 is the way to go. You can even get one in a Handy Rifle really cheap and they are very good shooters.

I dont know where you will be hunting, but I am very shocked no one has brought up the 30/30! It has everything you need for a good all around rifle that he could use for the rest of his life for anything...deer elk or black bear. Its not going to have the accuracy at longer ranges, but anything within 150 yards or so will fall if he does his part. Plus there are hundreds of 30/30 rifles out there on used gun racks that can be had really cheap...just add bullets and a good scope and an elk tag!

If you want to go the bolt action route, I would say a 7mm-08 is the way to go. You can even get one in a Handy Rifle really cheap and they are very good shooters.

i agree if you wanted to go the lever action type rifle. you could use some of the hornady leverevollution ammo for a 30-30 and with a decent scope even get a little more accurate range with it. this could be another possibilty to look into.